Theater-chair.



W. J. & F. R. LEONARD.

THEATER CHAIR.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 18,1912.

1,041,108. Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFF'JLCE.

WILLIAM J. LEONARD AND FRED R. LEONARD, OF CHESTER, NEBRASKA.

THEATER-CHAIR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 15, 1912.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, lVILLmM J. LEON- ARD and FRED R. LEONARD, citizens of the United States, residing at Chester, in the county of Thayer and State of Nebraska, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Theater-Chairs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This-invention comprehends certain new and useful improvements in theater chairs and relates more particularly to chairs for this purpose which may be folded on a level with the floor.

The object of the invention is to provide a disappearing chair of this type which in case of fire, may be quickly gotten out of the Way by folding it within a recess in the floor.

The invention aims to generally improve disappearing chairs of this nature to render them more simple, durable and commercially desirable.

WVith these and other objects in view, as shall become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain constructions and arrangement of parts as we shall hereinafter fully describe and claim.

For a complete understanding of our invention reference is to be had to the follow ing description and accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of our invention showing the chair ready for use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the chair folded. Fig. 3 is a transverse section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Similar parts are referred to in the description and designated in the accompanying drawings by like reference characters.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, 1 designates the floor of the theater or other auditorium provided with the counter sunk portion or recess 2 which is adapted to receive the chair 3.

The chair is of the folding type and comprises the straight standards 1 to each of which is pivotally connected by the rung 5 an angular standard 6. The lower portions of the standards 4 and 6 form respectively the front legs 7 and rear legs 8 of the chair. To the upper portion of the standards 4 the back 9 is rigidly secured While the upper portion of the standards 6 support the seat 10. This seat is free to slide upon the standards 6 and is connected by the hinges 11 to the lower edge of the back 9. A rung 12 connects the lower end of the legs 8 and holds them in spaced relationship.

The recess 2 is rectangular and of sufficient size and depth to receive the chair 3 when folded and support it 011 a level with the floor. The recess is provided adjacent its side walls with the longitudinal channels 13 which extend the entire length of the recess and a slight distance beyond the front wall thereof. These channels are of sufiicient width, depth and length to receive the standards (1 and 6 when the chair is folded. The ends of the front legs 7 are positioned in the extended portions of the channels 13 and held therein by the pins 13 and the rear legs 8 rest in the main portions of the channels 13. Cross-channels 14c and 15 connecting with the channels 13 are adapted to receive the rung 12.

The operation of our improved disappearing chair is as follows :-When it is desired to secure the chair in an upright position the legs are placed in the channels 13 and the rung 12 is seated in the channel 141. The front wall of the channels 13 and the rear wall of the channel 14 cooperate to prevent the chair legs spreading. To fold the chair within the recess 3, the rung 12 is removed from the channel 1 1 permitting the chair to tip backward until the back 9 and seat 10 rest upon the bottom of the recess and are level with the floor 1. WVhen the chair is folded the rungs 5 and 12 and the standards 4 and 5 are received respectively by the channels 14, 15 and 13. The back and seat of the chair fit snugly within the recess 3 and provide a continuous floor surface.

From the foregoing description in connection with the accompanying drawing it will be seen that we have provided a strong and simple chair which may be easily and quickly disposed within a recess in the floor.

It is to be understood that minor changes in shape and construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

The combination with a floor having a rectangular recess therein, the bottom of which is provided adjacent the side walls with longitudinal channels, and transverse channels connecting the longitudinal channels, of a chair comprising a pair of straight standards, a pair of angular standards, a rung pivotally connecting an angular standard to each of the straight standards, a back rigidly fastened to the straight standards, a seat hinged to said back and a rung connecting the rear ends of the angular standards, the forward ends of the straight standards being pivotally connected within said longitudinal channels adjacent their front ends, the last mentioned rung being adapted to engage the rear wall of the forward transverse channel to hold the chair in an upright position, the chair being adapted by spreading the legs, to fold within the recess to bring the back and seat in the same horizontal plane and on a level with the floor, the chair standards and rungs being received by the longitudinal and 15 transverse channels respectively.

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM J. LEONARD. FRED R. LEONARD.

Witnesses:

JAMES W. REYNOLDS, ALVIN RAPE.

Copies ofthis patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

Washington, D. 0. 

